The three “R’s” used to mean school subjects: reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic. Now they stand for “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” The current slogan has become a rallying point for people wanting to save the environment. However, these environmental practices are not new. They actually started in the 1940’s as a way to support the war […]
Take Steps to Keep Healthy in the New Year!
Consider setting family goals for improving nutrition and physical activity in the New Year. Here are some ideas to get you started: Eat family meals together at least 5 times a week. Start each day with breakfast. Drink 2-3 cups of low-fat milk every day. Use small salad plates (7 inch) for meals. This will […]
My Favorite Things
In this season of hustle and bustle, it’s really easy to get caught up in the “stuff” without really taking time to realize the why’s of your family celebration. When the presents are open and the decorations are down, what are you really going to remember? My guess is, it won’t be the gifts, but […]
What Separates a Have from a Have-Not?
One of the surest ways to create a heated discussion with someone is to bring up the subject of welfare. Everyone has an opinion about public assistance, and what the government should do to expand or downsize “the system.” Whether you think it should get bigger or smaller will depend on your perception of why […]
Babies and Toddlers should Learn from Play, not screens
As a parent of a small child, I know how tempting it is to set your child down in front of the television to get some things done around the house, like cleaning or cooking…or just a minute of sanity. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently reinforced its recommendations that children under […]
Go Out and Play this Holiday Season
News reports may state that the recession is winding down, but some families around the area are still having a hard time making ends meet. To complete the financial slam-dunk, here come the holidays. The Christmas holiday season is fraught with angst and anxiety under the best of circumstances, adding additional work and stress to […]